Lords and ladies, make haste to the Warren County Faire! New grandstand diversion awaits ye, straight from the Middle Ages.

Jousting and a medieval feast are slated for Thursday, July 27. Knights of Valour, a Canada-based troupe, will put on the show. Though they’ve performed throughout North America, this will mark their Iowa debut.

“Women love it because of the big, burly guys in armor,” said Jo Reynolds, fair manager. “Kids love it because it’s the real version of what they play in video games. Men like it because of its potential blood and gore. It’s an event for all ages, all members of the family.”

According to Adams, this is necessary because modern-day audiences expect a “gladiatorial nature” in extreme sports. It’s akin to boxing evolving into mixed martial arts.

Their performances are actual tournaments among members of their company. About eight knights will compete — unscripted, unchoreographed.

Adams founded the troupe in 1997 after winning his first competitive tournament at the U.S. International Jousting Championships. It was the first he’d ever entered.

He’d long dreamed of knighthood and jousting, though, and grew up working with horses.

As a rule, the draft horses carrying the knights go unharmed. This carries on the mindset of medieval times, when hurting such a creature was punishable by loss of title and property.

“These draft breeds were never bred to pull a plow,” Adams said. “They were the war horse, the charger. That’s why they are so precious and valuable.”

A key difference in modern-day jousting is that women can be knights — at least in Knights of Valour. Adams called the female competitor in his troupe “a role model for women young and old.”

It’s to be determined whether she will be among the eight knights traveling to Indianola. But, either way, Adams guarantees an evening that will inspire. After most performances, some audience members approach him about learning to joust.

The requirements, apart from being trained by Adams?

“You have to be physically fit, know how to ride. You have to have heart to endure through the pain,” he said. But it’s worth it to “bring back this page of history.”

It’s a page that took to the small screen when The History Channel aired “Full Metal Jousting,” with Adams as host and executive producer. An additional television series is in the works now, he said.

In the meantime, Warren County residents can experience extreme jousting in person, thanks to presenting sponsor Vaughan’s RV and grandstand arena sponsor A&W All American Food. Spectators will get a sneak peak of jousting during the rodeo Wednesday, July 26, at the grandstand.

For the main event July 27, general admission tickets are for jousting only, but VIP tickets include a parking pass, medieval feast with entertainment and special seating for the competition. Only 200 VIP tickets in all will be available.

Reynolds said that, for the first time, tickets are available for advance purchase online.

“We’ve had a good response from that,” she explained. “We’re excited about bringing something fresh and new.”

VIP tickets cost $75, an expense “well worth it for those people who are wanting the full experience,” Adams said.

Doors to the feast open at 5 p.m., with dining and entertainment running from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Participants will be entertained by the likes of a sword-swallowing magician and gypsy dancer.

Then comes the jousting tournament at 8 p.m., which, without the VIP pass, will cost $15 for adults and $5 for kids ages 6 to 13. There is no charge for children 5 and under. Participants in 4-H or FFA will pay only $5 if wearing an exhibitor shirt.

For Adams, it’s a chance to preserve a piece of history dating back to 1066, when jousting wasn’t for entertainment, but a real part of training for warfare.

“I’d always dreamed about trading in my cowboy hat for a suit of armor and fight alongside legends like Lancelot,” Adams said, “but where in the world, in this modern day and age, could that dream exist?”